Contents

Description

A Dual Cockpit, also called Dual Cockpit Combat (DCC) System, is a non-standard cockpit layout for BattleMechs that splits 'Mech operation between two operators, usually a pilot and a gunner. It should not be confused with the Command Console, which provides two complete, independent sets of controls.

The MechWarriors forming a team in a Dual Cockpit must synchronize their neurohelmets, a complex process which requires both team members to be in the cockpit. If one team member is taken out, the other can assume control of the entire 'Mech, but loses all advantages of the Dual Cockpit and operates less effectively than he would in a regular cockpit.

The Dual Cockpit is a very rare piece of equipment. It weighs 4 tons (i.e. 1 ton more than a regular cockpit) and upgrading a 'Mech in this fashion costs approximately 200,000 C-bills.

Dual Cockpit 'Mechs

'Mechs known to mount a Dual Cockpit include the RVN-1XL DC Raven and the DRG-1GKDC Grand Dragon[1] (neither of which meets the criteria for Canon, however, as they were never published in an English language source); there are no (other) regular 'Mech models known to feature a Dual Cockpit. Instead, it is usually installed as a refit.

All Successor States have developed certain typical Dual Cockpit refits in accordance with their respective military style[2]; these could arguably be regarded as subvariants of the respective 'Mech:

Notes

Canonicity

The canonicity status of the Dual Cockpit as a technology is somewhat unclear following a possibly misleading remark from the Line Developer that he considers it "effectively merged into the Command Console" system rules-wise.[4]

Rules

Game Rules

OLD: According to MechWarrior Companion, Dual Cockpit rules are Level Three rules, and thereby not legal for standard tournament play. This was superseded by the aforementioned publications which neither mention nor denounce the Dual Cockpit.

In game terms, the Dual Cockpit occupies two critical hit slots: Besides the standard cockpit slot (slot #3 in the head hit location), which houses the pilot, it also occupies slot #4 there to house the gunner. They must be marked as pilot or gunner cockpit, respectively.[7]

When used by a team of MechWarriors, the Dual Cockpit significantly increases combat performance:

A Piloting Skill roll to avoid falling is required only after suffering 30 points of damage in a round (instead of 20);

Similarly, modifiers to own fire from own movement are less severe and a secondary target may be fired at with no penalty.[8]

A separate skill from the usual 'Mech pilot/Gunnery skills must be learned to operate a 'Mech from a Dual Cockpit in conjunction with another pilot. A MechWarrior team without the Dual Cockpit Operation skill at high enough level loses effectiveness. And the skill only applies to a single pilot/gunner team, to change teams requires relearning the skill over again and training it back up to a level that the pilot/gunner gains the Dual Cockpit advantage again.[9]

For the purpose of determining Battle Value, a Dual Cockpit counts for four times the tonnage of the 'Mech it is installed in.[citation needed]

Dual Cockpit rules are not included in Tech Manual, and thereby not legal for standard tournament play units.[10]